Low carbon housing market framework 2007 - 2008

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The aim of SHAP is to demonstrate how, through the promotion of existing best practice and identification of pathways and decision points, high specification energy efficiency and renewable energy measures can be mainstreamed into existing regional housing new build and refurbishment programmes.

The 2007-08 programme of work was funded by the Energy Saving Trust and Birmingham Science City, and was managed by a steering group bringing together stakeholders engaged in the housing market from across the public, private and third sectors, and chaired by Alan Yates from Accord Housing Association.

The work programme was carried out by consultants URBED (Urbanism Environment and Design) and sustainable development charity Forum for the Future, who were appointed in October 2007.

The brief setout the required outputs from the SHAP 2007-08 work programme:

A database of exemplars of good practice in Low Carbon Homes and Low Carbon Homes Action Plans from all housing sectors
An analysis of the Drivers for and the Barriers to the widespread implementation of Low Carbon good practice in both new and existing housing stock in the region.

These will be defined by the Consultant and will include:

an assessment of the current definitions of Zero Carbon Homes, Carbon Neutral Homes and Low Carbon Homes and the identification of the most widely accepted definitions
the assessment of the exemplars of Low Carbon Homes amd Action Plans against the definitions in i) and against the Code for Sustainable Homes
reasonable targets for
1. Low Carbon Housing in new build in the West Midlands to meet the Government target of all new homes being zero carbon by 2016 and
2. Low Carbon refurbishment of existing housing stock in the West Midlands to meet the requirements of the draft Climate Change bill and Regional CO2 reduction targets
an evaluation of the costs and benefits of adopting low carbon solutions for new and existing housing
an assessment of the impact on the initial capital outlay and the benefits which accrue when whole life costs are taken in to account.
an assessment of the Open Market Value of Low Carbon Homes compared to conventional housing, including the perception of Low/Zero Carbon Homes by potential purchasers and tenants
The attitude of mortgage lenders and home insurance providers to Low/Zero Carbon Homes and the impact of this on the widespread implementation of Low/Zero Carbon Homes
The effectiveness of Low Carbon Housing Technologies in practice, including the use of the technology by tenants and owners
Other issues of importance including the availability of relevant skills, building materials and new technologies together with the market opportunities to provide these in the West Midlands

The brief also sought to provide a commentary on the National, Regional and Local Policies and Strategies relevant to Low Carbon Housing. These include the Housing Green Paper, the Regional Spatial Strategy, the Regional Economic Strategy and the Regional Sustainable Development Framework.